Iraqi Refugee Indicted for Quran Burning Shot Dead in Sweden Hours Before Court Ruling
Salwan Momika, a 38-year-old Iraqi refugee infamous for his repeated Quran burnings during anti-Islam demonstrations, was fatally shot in his home in Södertälje just hours before a Swedish court was set to deliver a ruling on charges against him, Al Jazeera reports.
On Thursday, police announced the arrest of five individuals in connection with Momika’s murder. The tragic event occurred late Wednesday, when authorities responded to reports of gunfire at the apartment complex where he resided. Upon arrival, officers discovered Momika suffering from gunshot wounds.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed serious concern over the situation, revealing that security services are closely investigating potential links to foreign powers.
“There is obviously a risk that there is a connection to a foreign power,” he said during a news conference.
Vice Prime Minister Ebba Busch also condemned the murder, labeling it “a threat to our free democracy,” and emphasized the necessity for a strong response from society.
Originally, the Stockholm District Court was expected to announce its verdict on the charges against Momika and his co-defendant Salwan Najem regarding “agitation against an ethnic or national group.” However, in light of Momika’s death, the court postponed its ruling to February 3. The charges stemmed from accusations that the two had desecrated the Quran and made derogatory remarks about Muslims, including demonstrations outside a mosque in Stockholm.
Emerging reports suggest that the shooting may have been broadcast live on social media, with footage showing police cutting off a livestream from Momika’s TikTok account shortly after the incident.
Following the highly controversial Quran burnings, Sweden elevated its “terrorism” alert to the second-highest level in 2023, citing increased threats to the country and its citizens both at home and abroad. This escalation followed widespread outrage in the Muslim community, leading to protests that included the storming of the Swedish embassy in Baghdad twice in July 2023, where demonstrators set fires within the compound.
Having lived in Sweden since 2018, Momika faced the possibility of deportation in 2023 over allegations of providing false information on his residency application. Ultimately, Sweden’s migration agency granted him temporary residency, citing a risk of torture and inhumane treatment if returned to Iraq.
In March 2024, Momika sought asylum in Norway but was deported back to Sweden several weeks later, asserting that Sweden’s purported commitment to freedom of expression and human rights was misleading.
